Download Alcohol - Math and Science Department

ALCOHOL
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating
ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor.
 Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast,
sugars, and starches.
 It is a central nervous system depressant (That
means it's a drug that slows down or depresses
the brain) that is rapidly absorbed from the
stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream.
 Alcohol changes a person's ability to think, speak,
and see things as they really are
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WHAT IS ONE DRINK??
CLASS STATISTICS
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Poll
STATISTICS
IMMEDIATE RISKS
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These immediate effects are most often the result of binge drinking and include the
following—
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Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drownings, burns, and unintentional firearm
injuries.
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Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. Alcohol use is also associated
with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence. Studies have also shown that alcohol is a leading
factor in child maltreatment and neglect cases, and is the most frequent substance abused among
these parents.
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Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of
sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
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Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, and a combination of physical and mental birth
defects among children that last throughout life.
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Alcohol poisoning, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death.
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Car accidents
PROGRESSIVE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
LONG TERM EFFECTS
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Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases,
neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to—
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Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.
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Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and
hypertension
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Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide
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Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.
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Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. In general, the risk of cancer
increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
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Liver diseases, including—
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Alcoholic hepatitis.
Cirrhosis, which is among the 15 leading causes of all deaths in the United States.
Among persons with Hepatitis C virus, worsening of liver function and interference with medications used
to treat this condition.
Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis.
ALCOHOLISM
Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a
diagnosable disease characterized by a strong
craving for alcohol, and/or continued use
despite harm or personal injury.
 Chronic - it continues over time.
 Progressive - it gets worse
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SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM
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Be unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Feel a strong need or compulsion to drink
Develop tolerance to alcohol so that you need more to feel its effects
Drink alone or hide your drinking
Experience physical withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and
shaking — when you don't drink
Not remember conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as a
"black out"
Make a ritual of having drinks at certain times and become annoyed when
this ritual is disturbed or questioned
Be irritable when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't
available
Keep alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in your car
Gulp drinks, order doubles or become drunk intentionally to feel good, or
drink to feel "normal"
Have legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or
finances due to drinking
Lose interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring you pleasure
CAUSES OF ALCOHOLISM
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Alcoholism is influenced by genetic, psychological, social
and environmental factors that have an impact on how it
affects your body and behavior.
The process of becoming addicted to alcohol occurs
gradually.
Over time, drinking too much may change the normal
balance of chemicals and nerve tracks in your brain
associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment
and the ability to exercise control over your behavior.
This may result in your craving alcohol to restore good
feelings or remove negative ones.
RISK FACTORS
Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for
an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can produce
a physical dependence on alcohol.
Age. People who begin drinking at an early age are at a higher risk
of problem drinking or physical dependence on alcohol.
Family history. The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who have a
parent or other close relatives who have problems with alcohol.
Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for
people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression or
bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances.
Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who
drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcoholism.
Mixing medication and alcohol. Some medications interact with
alcohol, increasing its toxic effects. Drinking while taking these
medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, or
even make them dangerous.
MISCONCEPTIONS
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Misconception 1: Alcohol is a stimulant.
Alcohol has been falsely thought of as a stimulant because its initial effects on some people
include feelings of euphoria and lowered inhibitions. Alcohol is classified correctly as
a depressant because it later causes sedation and drowsiness. In high concentrations, alcohol
can induce unconsciousness, coma, and even death.
Misconception 2: Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are problems only for the individual drinker.
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are social problems that touch many more lives than that of the
individual drinker. Alcohol abuse is a contributing factor to auto crashes, domestic violence,
and child abuse or neglect. In addition to the personal costs, alcoholism also has an impact on
the country due to lost productivity, healthcare treatment, and costs attendant to administering
the criminal justice system.
Misconception 3: People with alcoholism are morally weak individuals lacking will power.
Alcoholism involves more than just drinking too much. It is known to be a complex disease that
involves a variety of factors including genetic, environmental, social, and behavioral
components. The physical dependence of alcoholics on drinking defines alcoholism as a
disease that must be diagnosed, and as separate from alcohol abuse In alcoholic individuals,
the brain is affected by alcohol and promotes its continued use through both positive and
negative reinforcements. Most notably, the severe physical withdrawal symptoms that result
from stopping drinking serve as a strong biological force that can maintain drinking behavior.
CONT.
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Misconception #4: Children cannot be alcoholics
Alcohol is the most used and abused drug among young people. Children who
abuse alcohol may develop alcoholism, though the criteria for making the
diagnosis may be different from those used to diagnose adults.
Misconception #5 Small amounts of alcohol won’t impair bodily or mental
functions.
A BAC of 0.02–0.04 can impair memory and judgment. The effects of alcohol on
an individual vary depending on the person’s weight, nutritional state, gender,
exposure to other drugs, and other factors. Any amount of alcohol taken during
pregnancy is considered risky.
Misconception #6 Alcohol’s effects are only temporary.
Chronic long-term effects can develop and persist. Adolescents and adults who
drink excessive amounts of alcohol may be causing chronic alterations to their
brains. A recent study provides evidence that heavy drinking among teenagers
can impair brain function. It is not yet known if these effects are reversible.
CONT.
Misconception 7: Alcohol is good for your health.
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Recent reports have indicated that moderate drinking (defined as one drink per day for women
and two drinks per day for men) may lessen the risk for cardiovascular disease. Although
moderate drinking is associated with decreased risk for heart disease, it is also associated with
increased risk of accidents. Drinking five or more drinks per day leads to increased risks for
stroke and cancer. In addition, pregnant women, people using certain medications, and those
diagnosed with alcoholism or other medical problems should refrain from drinking entirely.
Misconception 8: Alcoholism can be cured by behavioral programs such as Alcoholics
Anonymous.
Alcoholism has no known cure. However, as with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or
heart disease, alcoholism can be controlled effectively using behavioral therapies. For such
treatments to be effective, however, the patient must be willing to make significant and
permanent lifestyle changes. People being treated for alcoholism often experience one or more
episodes of relapse.
Misconception 9: The public knows enough about the effects of alcohol use; further research is
not necessary.
We do not know how alcohol creates its addictive actions. Research continues to provide
insight into how alcohol acts on all cells of the body and affects their functions. New scientific
approaches help scientists understand more about the biological and behavioral effects of
alcohol. New imaging techniques enable scientists to see alcohol’s effects in the living brain. In
addition, various sociological studies are helping us better understand the social effects of
alcohol consumption
ACTIVITY
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Questions
ANSWERS
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Alcohol is a stimulant.
Alcohol is actually a depressant. It can appear to be a stimulant because it initially depresses the part
of the brain that controls inhibitions.
Caffeine will sober you up.
Caffeine will not help an individual become sober more quickly. The factors that influence a person’s
BAC include the amount of alcohol consumed, the pattern of drinking, body weight, and gender. Only
time will reduce the BAC as the body breaks down the alcohol.
Food will keep you from becoming intoxicated.
Food in the stomach causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly than when the stomach is empty.
Food can delay the effects of alcohol, but it cannot eliminate them.
Drinking beer is safer than drinking wine or hard liquor, such as vodka or whiskey.
The type of drink is not an important factor when considering the effects of drinking alcohol. As
students learned in Lesson 2, 12 ounces of beer contain the same amount of alcohol as 5 ounces of
wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Alcohol-related car crashes are all caused by drunk drivers.
Most alcohol-related car crashes are caused by drivers with BACs over the legal limit. However, as
seen in Master 6.2, Alcohol Information Sheets, drivers with BACs less than the legal limit also have
crash rates higher than nondrinkers. Also, as presented on Master 5.4, Progressive Effects of Alcohol,
BACs below the legal limit produce impairments.
Alcoholism is a disease.
Alcoholism is a chronic disease involving a strong craving for alcohol, a constant or periodic reliance
on use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when
drinking is stopped, and the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
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Alcohol abuse and alcoholism affect only the abuser.
Unfortunately, alcohol abuse and alcoholism affect other individuals in addition to the abuser. For example, the
abuser’s family and friends are affected. Alcohol abuse leads to missed work, thereby affecting coworkers. Abusers
are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to accidents and even criminal behaviors that produce
victims.
Alcohol abuse or alcoholism will never be my problem.
As students learned in Lesson 4, many factors influence whether a person uses alcohol, abuses alcohol, or becomes
an alcoholic. Some factors are genetic, many others are environmental, but the primary factor is personal choice.
Nothing can be done about alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can be treated effectively using medications and psychosocial (behavioral) therapies.
Currently, there is no cure for alcoholism.
It is a good idea to drink alcohol to prevent heart disease.
Studies have shown that alcohol in moderate amounts (about one drink per day) can reduce the risk for heart
disease. However, in larger amounts, alcohol makes heart disease worse and can actually interfere with the rhythm of
the heart. Doctors do not recommend that nondrinkers start drinking alcohol in an effort to prevent heart disease.
There are many people who should not drink even one drink per day, including pregnant women, recovering
alcoholics, and people taking certain medications.
Drinking a large amount of alcohol occasionally is less harmful than drinking a smaller amount every day.
Binge drinking can cause severe problems. Drinking a large amount of alcohol at one time can raise the BAC to such
a dangerous level that the individual can lose consciousness and even die. However, even at lower levels, alcohol
makes it more likely that a person will engage in risky behaviors with potentially serious consequences. Lessons 5
and 6 should help students understand the consequences of consuming alcohol.
Drinking alcohol makes you feel more confident.
The effects of alcohol at a BAC between 0.01 and 0.05 include the loss of inhibitions and a sense of well being. When
the BAC increases to between 0.06 and 0.20, some individuals become more boisterous and extroverted. These
behaviors can be interpreted as confidence. However, the behavioral changes caused by alcohol consumption can
vary greatly depending on the amount consumed and the individual’s response. At high BAC levels, some individuals
experience severe emotional swings.
http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_
resources/pdf/s/SAMHSA/samhsa_worksheet
2.pdf
 http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_
resources/pdf/s/SAMHSA/samhsa_bworkshee
t2.pdf
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